Bluff Wilderness Trail – Pot Lake

Nice big 8km hike along a wilderness trail, just minutes outside of Halifax. Decided to attempted the smallest hiking loop in the Bluffs, called Pot Lake loop. We parked the car at the closest parking lot and walked about 400m to the actual trailhead. We followed the BLT trail where you can either continue to Hubley or downtown Halifax.

The trail was well marked with colour markers, which was a big improvement from the spray painted arrows that were almost impossible to see. The area is big on Leave no Trace since the trail is along sensitive barrens. Do bring adequate gear and supplies, cell phone coverage is good, but the area is remote and the only way to help in fast is by helicopter.

The The Bluff Wilderness Hiking Trail is located on Crown Land south of Highway 103 where it crosses the Chebucto Peninsula just west of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It begins inside the Woodens River watershed and climbs onto the high ground (“The Bluff” ) between the Woodens River watershed and the Nine Mile River watershed to the east.

The trailhead is located on the Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea (BLT) trail at a point midway between the Hwy 103 overpass just south of Exit 4 and the northern tip of Cranberry Lake. A parking lot has been constructed specifically for visitors to The Bluff Trail.

Carrying a cell phone is advised and always let someone know your plans and expected time of return. Plan your exursion to leave planty of time to return during daylight hours and cut it short if it’s taking longer than expected. Hikers should be alert since they will be traveling through bear and moose country. There are also coyotes.The trail is a wilderness trail, designed to challenge and delight the experienced hiker. Hikers should use caution at all times.

Deer hunting season runs from the last Friday in October to the first Saturday in December inclusively. Hunting is not permitted on Sundays. Hunter orange is recommended in this period. Please use The Bluff Trail with added caution during this period.

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About Jim Cyr

Exploring Nova Scotia with a constellation of satellites to guide me along the way. Producing hiking, outdoors, local drink & food videos, you can find Jim's contributions on novascotiablogs.com and a few other places. Jim carries a Delorme inReach for all of his outdoor adventures.